Baycrest

ENCOURAGING HIGH SCHOOLERS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN SCIENCE Many students can be intimidated by a career in science. The RTC aims to break down those barriers and concerns with the recently launched neuroBRITE (Baycrest Research Innovation and Technology Education), which invites curious grade 11 students to explore the mysteries of the brain and aging by running their own neuroscience experiments. RRI trainees teach classes about the brain to neuroBRITE students, and have an opportunity to develop their leadership, project management, and science communication skills. During the program, high school students also learn about aging while interacting with older adults at Baycrest, and the different career options available to them. Through the program, high school students also have a chance to learn how scientists study the brain with state-of-the-art technology, and to explore the fields of psychology and neuroscience. Other perks include exclusive mentorship opportunities from professionals in the field, and the chance to use the MUSE™ "brain-sensing headband" technology to track brainwaves in their experiments. • Training 54 students from 3 high schools • Run by 9 RRI trainee mentors What I learned from the course was how to activate the brain by doing new things. This is very important to healthy aging and that's what I aim to do. We even came up with a few things we're going to do at Baycrest." – Anne Burke, attendee of the Brain and Cognition Course and resident at the Terraces of Baycrest " Our students have been amazed by the knowledge they have received and by forging real connections with older adults and the neuroBRITE team. A whole new level of engagement has been created and this experience will forever push them to seek new answers." – Nicole Anthony & Rahim Essabhai, Educators, John Polanyi Collegiate Institute " LIFE-LONG LEARNING: HELPING OLDER ADULTS UNDERSTAND THE BRAIN There is often a gap between the research that's produced in academic environments and what the public knows about it. In an effort to bridge that divide, the RTC and its trainees created and launched the Brain and Cognition Course: Understanding Your Brain at the Terraces of Baycrest Retirement Residence during the spring of 2018. The eight-week course built on the success of a previous course offered at Ryerson University's Life Institute, and provided trainees with the opportunity to share their expertise on the brain and aging with older adult students. Some of the course topics included: how the brain remembers, heals, and helps us find our way around. All proceeds from the course helped support Baycrest research trainees. • Taught 83 older adults • Run by 13 RRI trainee instructors 2017–2018 YEAR IN REVIEW 27

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